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Austin Growth: Annexation Debates Unfold

Wednesday, August 8, 1984 special called
  • Austin leaders convened a special public hearing to discuss annexing over 3,000 acres across various tracts in Travis County, significantly expanding the city's reach.
  • Many residents strongly opposed the annexation of one 600-acre area, arguing the financial burden on the city would outweigh potential tax gains.
  • The discussions also highlighted a debate over "limited purpose" versus "full purpose" annexation, with some property owners expressing a preference for full integration into city services.
  • After hearing public testimony, the council unanimously voted to close all public hearings related to the proposed annexations, advancing the process.

Full Transcript

City Council Frank C.Cooksey Mayor John Treviño, Jr. Mayor Pro Tem Council Members Mark Rose Smoot Carl-Mitchell Sally Shipman George Humphrey Charles E. Urdy Jorge Carrasco City Manager Elden Aldridge City Clerk FOUNDE 1834 Austin City Council MINUTES For - SPECIAL CALLED MEETING AUGUST 8, 1984 4:00 Ρ.Μ. ANNEXATIONS Council Chambers, 307 West Second Street, Austin, Texas Memorandum To: Mayor Mullen called to order the Special Called Meeting of the Council, noting the presence of all Councilmembers. The Mayor announced the purpose of the meeting is to have a public hearing on annexation of the following: I. 600 acres of land out of the Samuel W. Hamilton League, Thomas Bissel League No. 18, John G. McGeehee Survey No. 6, and Walker Wilson Survey No. 2 in Travis County, Texas. (Palomino Park Sec. 1-5a, Shady Hollow Addition, Kellywood Est., Kellywood Est. Sec. 2, Fleeman Est., portions of Brodie Lane, Davis Lane, Riddle Road, Deer Lane, Wyldwood Rd. and unplatted land) C14a-83-009. 2. 163 acres of land out of the William Hornsby Surveys No. 22, No. 64, and the Francisco Garcia Survey No. 60 in Travis County, Texas. (McNeil (McNeil Est., Atkinson Acres, Dudley Est., John Robinson Subd., Oak Crest, portions of McNeil Rd., Del Robles and unplatted land) C7a-83-019. 3. 1,443 acres of land for limited purposes out of J.C. Harrelson Survey No. 78, the John Applegait Survey No. 58, J.O. Rice Survey No. 31, the John M. Swisher Survey No. 32, the S.A. & M.G. Survey, the John C. Brooke Survey No. 53, the L. Fritz Survey No. 291, the Thomas C. Collins Survey No. 61, the L.C. Cunningham Survey No. 68, the W. Drummond Survey No. 109, the William Bratton Survey No. 103 and the Elias McMillan Survey in Travis County, Texas. (Includes North Acres, Sec. 1,2,3 & 4, North Oaks Sec. 2, Bratton Lane Bus. Pk., Yeager Acres, Jewell Shamon Addition, m. Gephart Subd., Justa Subd., Zunker Subd., Idyle Hour Acres, Pamela Heights, Royston Land LID, Beva Subd., Three Pt. Acres, Sec. 1 & 2, Capitol Memorial Gardens, Centex Add. North, Morris Walden Subd., Hills Braker Add., Central Texas Clarkclift and unplatted land) C7a-83-011. 4. 918 acres of land for full purposes out of Thomas C. Collins Survey No. 61, the L.C. Cunningham Survey No. 68, the James O. Rice Survey No. 31, the J.C. Harrelson Survey No. 78, the L. Fritz Survey No. 291, the Wm. B. Harrison Survey No. 86, and the John M. Swisher Survey No. 32 in Travis County, Texas. (Woodcliff Subd., Cameron Ridge Ph. 2, Safeway Add No. 4) C7a-83-011. Council Memo 2 8/8/86 Brian Schuller, Planning Department, reviewed the proposed annexations. The following people spoke against annexation of 1. the 600 acres of land out of the Samuel W. Hamilton League: Gene Timberline, Shady Hollow; Walt Derbeshire; Dave Ellis; Dan MacIntosh; and Gary Black. They said the expense would be too great for the City of Austin, because the City will not gain enough in taxes to offset expenses. Mayor Mullen asked at what time they thought they should be annexed. Gary Black said their MUD contract is for 12 years. Councilmember Shipman said perhas they should not be annexed but the City does need to strip annex to protect the area. Other speakers who opposed this annexation were: Dave Weatherford; Bill Burnett of Wildwood; Pat Kelly; Mr. Fleetman; U. Lander; Ira Yates, who said it should be full purpose annexed in the future; and Kenneth Harrell. Susan Irvin spoke to annexation of 3. 1,443 acres of land for limited purpose out of the J.C.. Harrelson Survey No. 78. She said she represents several owners who would rather have full purpose annexation rather than limited purpose. Motion The Council, on Councilmember Rose's motion, Mayor Mullen's second, closed the public hearing on 1. (7-0 Vote) Motion 1 The Council, on Councilmember Rose's motion, Mayor Mullen's second, closed the public hearing on 2. (7-0 Vote) Motion The Council, on Councilmember Shipman's motion, Mayor Mullen's second, closed the public hearings on 3. and 4. (7-0 Vote) ADJOURNMENT Council adjourned its meeting at 5:27 p.m.